Public Information - STAFF
Tami Marler ... Director of Public Information
Tami
graduated from Tulsa Public Schools’ Daniel Webster High School and went on
to obtain a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from
the University of Tulsa.
Tami spent eleven years as a Tulsa television news anchor and reporter, winning several investigative and enterprise reporting awards for her work. Her writing skills, business education and media experience helped her to land the position of Director of Public Information for Tulsa Public Schools in March, 2007.
A former Miss Oklahoma, Tami continues to enjoy singing, public speaking and mentoring young people.
Janice Jones ... Secretary to the Director
A 15 year district employee, Janice recently joined the Public Information staff as the Director’s Secretary. She received a Certified Professional Secretary award in 2002 and Certified Administrative Professional in 2004. After receiving a few college credits in her ‘younger days’, she now occasionally attends classes at Tulsa Community College. Janice enjoys music, particularly Sam (her son) and the Stylees, reading, antiquing, and OSU basketball games. She also tries to get in some form of daily exercise.
Tracy Kouns ... Multimedia Specialist
Tracy is currently serving Tulsa Public Schools as the Multimedia Specialist in the Public Information Department. His duties include graphic design, still and video photography, video editing, presentation editing, animations, web development, and artistic support and technical engineering for live presentations/events.
Tracy has previously served TPS as a Math and Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, writer/developer/editor of math content for the Oklahoma VISION (Virtual Internet Schools in Oklahoma Network) Project, and Math and Computer Science instructor at Hale High School. He has also served as an adjunct instructor for the University of Tulsa, AP (Advanced Placement) Reader and Consultant, trainer and presenter for various professional organizations.
Tracy treasures his time with his family and church. His part-time profession is as a recording and performing musician, primarily as a bassist and vocalist for various artists in the Tulsa and Nashville areas. He also enjoys cycling, backpacking, playing volleyball, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Tracy believes his greatest accomplishments are the successes of his students. He considers himself blessed to be a part of education and to possibly have even a small impact on the lives of young people.
Lisa Ruffin ... Station Manager
Lisa began her career in broadcast television in her hometown of Springfield, Mo., and moved to Tulsa in late 2001. After 15 years of working in television news Lisa joined forces with TPS as their Television Station Manager. Lisa is excited about the Webster magnet school for broadcast and journalism starting up. She is looking forward to creating new shows and working with the students who wish to enter the broadcast field. Lisa enjoys open boat whitewater canoeing, camping, fishing, and just about anything else outdoors.
Roger E. Shideler ... Program Manager
Roger began his media career, after receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Radio/Television from Kansas State University, as an announcer at KLZR/KLWN AM/FM in Lawrence, Kansas.
After moving to Tulsa, Roger joined Tulsa Public Schools, eventually becoming the Television Manager for the district. Roger has spent the last thirteen years with TPS, nine of those in Public Information. Roger is also a proud parent. He and his wife Kimberley have two daughters, Carissa (17 yrs. old) and Olivia (10 yrs. old), and son Chase (7 yrs. old).
Derick Snow ... Photojournalist
Derick Snow, photojournalist and program director for TPS Television Department, grew up in Point Barrow, Alaska and later moved to Webbers Falls, Oklahoma. He even speaks Inuit! Derick graduated from Webster High School in Tulsa where he excelled in speech, acting, computers, and art.
Derick has appeared as an extra in television shows such as 7th Heaven, Scrubs, and Desperate Housewives. He can be seen in Tulsa at the Spotlight Theatre where he is a cast member of the Drunkard.
Samuel Lewin ... Publications Editor
An Air Force brat, Sam lived in Turkey, Spain and multiple areas of the Continental United States before settling in Baltimore, where he attended high school and college. He had a stint as a television journalist in California before taking a radio reporter/talk show co-host position in Anchorage, AK. Sam has also worked in print, recently editing and reporting for an area weekly newspaper.
In his spare time Sam enjoys reading, playing basketball and spending time with his brand-new daughter, Ahava.
Dana R. Mason ... Web Developer
Dana, the district Web Developer, was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania. After receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education, Dana became a classroom teacher, eventually moving into a technology integrator position. He became the web developer for Tulsa Public Schools in 2003.
Dana enjoys playing music (percussionist), is an avid fan of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey and likes spending time with his wife Charlene, a TPS teacher, and son Zach.
JoAnn Call ... PBX Operator
Born in Porum and raised in Muskogee, JoAnn, one of our PBX Operators, graduated from Muskogee Central High School. She has four children, eight grand children and 4 great-grand children. She feels that her family is her greatest accomplishment. JoAnn enjoys playing, and getting my family involved, in team games such as bowling, darts, dominoes, bunko, and card games. She also enjoys creative activities such as sewing and crafts, as well as learning new crafts.
Joyce Baylor ... PBX Operator
Joyce, one of the TPS PBX Operators, was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated from Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School.
